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Archive for the ‘Journaling Prompt’ Category

Journaling Prompt #4 – Observing The Environment

Wednesday, June 4th, 2008

This is the second prompt dealing with observations. Last week’s prompt dealt with observing people and this week’s prompt is all about observing the environment.

The environment is the setting of our stories. Whether we write fiction or non-fiction, whether we tell our own story or other people’s stories – the environment plays an important role in adding depth to the story. Adding details about the environment anchors the story and gives it a strong base.

The environment is built out of many different parts: physical surroundings, atmosphere, weather etc. The environment portrays the view coming out of your window, as well as whether you live in a big city or in a small town, whether it is winter time or summer time, whether you are in a relaxed environment or in a busy one, the time of day the story takes part in and how the environment looks different at this time. All of these details and more are part of the description of an environment.

This description can also include special traditions, culture, typical smells, colors, textures and any other little detail that makes the place unique.

This week’s prompt is to describe an environment – either your everyday surrounding or a place which is special or remarkable to you. Try to capture as much details as possible and to include as many different aspects of the environment as possible.

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Journaling Prompt #3 – Observation

Wednesday, May 28th, 2008

The first two prompts were all about you. Your family. Your secret wishes. Today the prompt is dealing with your ability to observe other people.

The ability to observe is extremely important for any writer. Developing an eye for the small details creates much more vivid and vibrant stories. This skill is also important for commemorating bits and pieces of your life and the life of your loved ones. Stories which will be greatly valued in the future.

Some people are born with good observation skills but they can be also easily acquired. All you have to do is to watch and listen. Keep an open eye for all the small details that are illusive at first glance. For instance, noticing if a stranger walking down the street is happy or sad, relaxed or mad, taking his time or in a hurry.

This week’s journaling prompt is getting you outside to a place where you are likely to meet with strangers. It can be the train station, the grocery store or the park. Go outside and open a watchful eye (be careful not to look like – or become – a stalker. There’s a difference between ‘observing’ and ‘following around’ and you should stick to the former).

Don’t forget to grab a pen and a journal and write down all your small observations. When you feel that you have picked up enough information, write a short imaginary story about one ore more of the figures you have ran into. In this story don’t forget to use your observations and blend it with the plot you have made up.

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Journaling Prompt #2 – Wish Upon A Star

Wednesday, May 21st, 2008

AN AMERICAN GIRL in YOKOHAMA

As a small child I was very keen on trying each wish-fulfilling-generator I had heard about.

I was wishing upon the falling stars.

I was on an everlasting pursuit after an ancient lamp to rub a genie out of.

I had sought the magical typewriter, which every time you type ‘I wish..’ on it – your wish comes true.

I was constantly perfecting my answer to the fairy who would grant me three wishes.

… and so on and so forth.

Once I had read in a children’s book that each person is granted with one wish, but no one knows when his time of fortune would arrive. In this book the reader is warned not to waste his time of fortune on benign things like guessing which bus would get to the station next. This warning had had a very strong impression on me, so for the next month I was constantly wishing the most magnificent of things. Among which I wished there would be no hungry children in Africa (at that time it was the number one reasoning for me to polish up my plate). I wished I would find a long lost treasure. I wished I would have all the colors in the world to paint with. You’ve got the picture.

As the years are passing by, my belief in miracles and wish granting genies is weakening … (I dare not say ‘vanishing’ as the wish-fairy might hear that). Nevertheless, I still have many secret wishes in my pocket. I am differentiating a ‘wish’ from a ‘goal’ by their likelihood to get fulfilled. The former is less likely to materialise than the latter.

For this week’s prompt I would like you to go back to the time where you strongly believed in miracles (you might not go back that much…) and to write down your three** most wonderful and splendid wishes. Remember, your wishes don’t have to be feasible !!!

**If your genie grants more than 3 wishes, go ahead and splurge.

Photo by: Okinawa Soba

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Journaling Prompt #1 – Family

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

In honor of Mother’s Day, which was celebrated last Sunday, I would like to dedicate the first journaling prompt to the concept of a ‘family’. Our family.

The notion of a family is extremely fluid, it is constantly changing and reforming. New branches are emerging in a steadfast manner. A spouse. A new born baby.

On the one hand, each marriage or life-partnership joins two families together and each child is born into an existing family; on the other hand, these occasions also create new families altogether. It all depends on your outlook.

This prompt is seeking for your point of view. How do you define YOUR family ?

Does your family consist of your spouse and children or do you still see yourself strongly connected to your mom and dad and to your siblings?

When the word ‘family’ crosses your mind, do you also think about your aunts and uncles? Do you picture your nephews and nieces? or do you adhere to your very own “close family circle”? Who are the people that first come to mind when you are referring to your family, and why?

What had made you stick to your broader family circle or what had made you choose the narrower one? Which circumstances? Which feelings? Which notions? What does the word ‘family’ means to you?

Think about YOUR family for a while and then write down whatever comes in mind.

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